I think sleep school would definitely benefit you. But while you at waiting have you tried being in the room when he is first waking so that you can quickly comfort him before it gets out of control? I find that if I'm there when my DS is waking but not distressed I can pat his back and send him back to sleep as the more awake he gets the harder it would be to calm him down

It really hope this is a phase your little man is going through. Good luck xx